With the League Two table as tight as it is, we’ve got a couple of vital games coming up over the next few days – we take on second-placed Wycombe at St James’s Park on Saturday before travelling to Port Vale on Tuesday.

As things stand, we’re four points, and the same number of places, behind Wycombe having played a game less. So, if we can beat the Buckinghamshire side on Saturday we’ll move to within a point of them with a game in hand.

Clearly, that has to be the objective, but Gareth Ainsworth’s side are in great form, having won six of their last seven League Two fixtures, and we know we’re in for a real test. If past form is anything to go by, Wycombe will look to hit their big man up front and get runners off him; they also tend to target set pieces, so we’ll be at pains not to concede too many in dangerous positions.

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That said, we came away from Adams Park in October with a creditable 0-0 draw and our home form has been excellent this season so we have to believe that if we perform to the best of our ability we’re capable of bagging all three points.

Truth be told, all our attention right now is on the Wycombe game and we won’t begin to think about Port Vale until Saturday is out of the way. While, Vale are one of the few sides to have beaten us at the Park this season [the Valiants won 1-0 in October], they’re without a win in their last six games and we’ll be looking to extend that sequence at Vale Park on Tuesday night.

Jordan Storey (Image: Pinnacle)

I thought we did okay at league leaders Luton on Saturday – all the more so when you consider we went into the game with a number of key personnel sidelined. Be that as it may, it was disappointing to come away with nothing and, while there was a bit of good fortune about the Hatters’ winning goal, it would be hard to deny the home side deserved their victory.

Nevertheless, there was at least one big positive to take from the game with Jordan Storey, who in the absence of the two Troys [Brown and Archibald-Henville], Jordan Moore-Taylor and Luke Croll, came in alongside Dan Seaborne in the centre of defence, enjoying an excellent full debut.

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It was unfortunate for Jordan that Luton’s winning goal came when Harry Cornick’s 38th-minute effort looped off him and past Christy Pym, but it could just as easily have been a great block. In any case, he didn’t let it affect him and, up against one of the most potent attacks in League Two, I fought he had a fine game.

Jordan’s an old-fashioned centre-half, who isn’t afraid to get stuck in, and I can see him doing well at Exeter. He barely put a foot wrong on Saturday and, while he may have to bide his time when the squad isn’t quite so depleted, I know from my own experience that Tis likes to give youngsters a chance and I’m sure he can look forward to more opportunities.

While Luton enjoyed the majority of the play, we defended resolutely and thought we’d nicked a hard-earned equaliser when Liam McAlinden bundled the ball home late on. Unfortunately, the referee ruled Robbie Simpson had fouled Luton keeper Marek Stetch and Liam’s effort was struck off. To be honest, I didn’t have a great view from where I was, and haven’t yet seen a replay, but, certainly, I thought Simo had every right to go for it.

It was a bit different playing Wednesday-Saturday rather than Tuesday-Saturday, though, all said and done, I suppose it’s not much different from playing Saturday-Tuesday.

Had we had an extra 24 hours, I reckon Pierce Sweeney might have overcome the dead leg which meant he started on the bench and the extra recovery time might also have heightened Troy A-H’s chances of being involved.

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Moreover, Luton are a good footballing side, who move the ball quickly, and, with that in mind, an extra day to recover after the Forest Green game wouldn’t have gone amiss!

(Image: Pinnacle)

Transfer deadline day has become and bigger over the last few years and, like everyone else, I enjoy following last Wednesday’s events on Sky Sports and all the apps. In years gone by, I think players sometimes got to hear what was going on before it became common knowledge, but these days the media is all over everything and I don’t suppose we know a whole lot more than the next man.

My only experience of being involved in a deadline day move came back in January 2011 when I moved from Derby to Crystal Palace. I’d just signed a new contract at Pride Park and it all came out of the blue but the Rams needed the money. Fortunately, it was all sorted very quickly and it turned out to be the best move I ever made.

Dougie Freedman’s side were struggling at the wrong end of the Championship when I joined them, but within 18 months we were promoted to the Premier League. As you might imagine, it was a dream come true.

Kyle Edwards celebrates scoring for Exeter City under-23s against Hull City in the Premier League Cup (Image: Pinnacle)

Less than 24 hours after the visit of Wycombe, there will be more action at the Park when our U23 side face their Sunderland counterparts in the Premier League Cup [2pm kick-off]. With two games to go, our youngsters top a group which also includes Brighton and Hull U23s and victory on Sunday should ensure they progress to the next round of the competition.

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That would be a tremendous achievement and, with that in mind, I do hope that people will make every effort to get along to the game and lend the youngsters their support. Of course, the rules permit you to field a number of over-age players so it’s not inconceivable a few of those on the road to recovery, or short of match practice, might also feature.

If you haven’t already seen them in action then, take it from me, the City side is likely to feature some extremely talented youngsters and the £5 admission charge [just £2 for U18s] promises to be money well spent. Certainly, family commitments permitting, I’m looking forward to going along and cheering them to victory!